Joy and Opportunity: A Conversation About Growing the Palliative Care Workforce

Advancing the life-changing benefits of palliative care and equipping health professionals to meet the growing demand is a shared passion of Helen McNeal, Executive Director of the CSU Institute for Palliative Care, and Katy Lanz, Chief Clinical Officer for Aspire Health. The two palliative-care powerhouses spoke recently about the critical need to train a new palliative-care workforce; the joy of treating patients in their own homes; and the unconventional idea that a career in palliative care can be sexy and fun.

Helen McNeal (left) and Katy Lanz (right).

HELEN: Katy, I think one of the most exciting things about palliative care is that it focuses on helping patients with chronic illness manage their symptoms and live in the way that’s most meaningful to them. It’s really about maximizing quality of life at any stage in an illness. And it means people are going to be cared for in the setting where they really want it – at home.

KATY: Absolutely! When people hear the words “palliative care” they often think end-of-life, but really palliate means to provide comfort. It’s most effective when applied to patients who are way upstream in the course of a disease and headed toward changes in their illness, versus where we are now as an industry, typically supporting people after a serious health crisis has happened.

At Aspire we reach those upstream patients; match a treatment plan that fits their life goals; and then support them so they can be at home, in the environment they love, for as long as possible. That’s the beauty of palliative care… and it’s what Aspire is all about. We’re only four years old, and we’re already the nation’s largest palliative care practice in the community setting.

We’re experts in providing relief from the symptoms, pain or stress that accompany a serious illness. But our ability to do this is dependent on highly skilled professionals who understand palliative care, embrace it and can deliver it to vulnerable patients. That takes good people and effective training. [Read more…]

The Language of Illness and the Power of Words

When John McCain was diagnosed with a serious brain cancer last week, it produced an outpouring of emotion from leaders and laypeople all over the world. Many of his colleagues shared messages of support for his strength of character and many cancer survivors shared messages of encouragement for the journey ahead. For those of us health care professionals working in palliative care, the conversation sparked a familiar understanding about the power of words to help and to heal when used with purpose and intention.

“Some people resort to saying nothing, because they don’t know what to say, or fear saying the wrong thing.”

John McCain’s cancer diagnosis prompted a conversation in the national consciousness about what to say to a person who is diagnosed with a new and serious illness. During this sensitive and often-disorienting time, the power of words becomes both daunting and important. Many people struggle to know what to say to the person who is facing the enormity of their own mortality. Some people resort to saying nothing, because they don’t know what to say, or fear saying the wrong thing.

Healing Through Art: Art Talent Not Required!

In a society where perfect records are admired when achieved, like winning the Tour de France, claiming an Oscar, or becoming a billionaire, coloring “outside of the lines” is not very often seen as the ultimate achievement. Yet, letting our individual thoughts or feelings come out through the creation of art can be immensely therapeutic for people who’ve experienced trauma, loss, or difficult change.

Stress is on the Rise

Surveys conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association in late 2016, noted in a US News article, said that stress is on the rise among Americans, not only due to political tension domestically and internationally, as well as due to increased acts of violence and over-saturation from electronic information. People are experiencing these tensions through their external world, but also experiencing stress personally, through domestic violence, PTSD, increasing levels of chronic illness, caring for family members, and more.

What Does “Palliative Care” Mean in the Academy?

Faculty Explore Vastly Different Research to Alleviate Suffering

When researchers gather at the National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education & Research September 28-29 in San Diego, we’ll see how different their perspectives and experiences are – which underscores that “palliative care” exploration and pedagogy varies widely in the academy. But their work has the common denominator of easing the suffering of fellow humans.

The Symposium is a place where conversations among members of the academic community, from all disciplines, can coalesce, blending ideas and evidence from their work in spiritual, emotional, mental or physical aspects of illnesses, with the goal of finding new ways to integrate the palliative care message into their research endeavors and curriculum.